Special security devices for VVIPs during polls

The Special Security Force (SSF) will use highly sophisticated devices for the security of VVIPs—the President and Prime Minister—while moving around during the upcoming general election, government sources said.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) yesterday approved a proposal by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to acquire the high-powered security devices under the direct purchase method. The CCEA meeting was held at the conference room of the Cabinet Division with finance minister AMA Muhith in the chair.

After the meeting, a Cabinet Division official told The Independent: “Some security devices including drone shield, new jammer, frequency jammer and mobile command post (command vehicles) would be purchased for ensuring the security of the country’s VVIPs.”

Earlier, important massages during VVIP movements were communicated through mobile SMSs, which posed a security threat. Therefore, the SSF later acquired a modern 3G “pager system” for ensuring foolproof security to the VVIPs.

The SSF, which is accountable to the PM, can make arrests without warrant when there is reason to believe that the presence or movement of any person or group near the VVIPs could pose a security threat.

If anyone forcibly attempts to evade arrest, the SSF may use all necessary means to capture the person.

The wide and unfettered powers granted to the authorities under the Special Security Force Ordinance (SSFO) are exacerbated by Section 11, which prevents prosecution for such acts without government sanction.

SSF members are selected from the Army, Navy, Air Force, police and Ansar. The idea of establishing such a security force in Bangladesh was first mooted by former President Hussain Muhammad Ershad.

Accordingly, the Presidential Security Force (PSF) was formed on June 15, 1986. Later, with the introduction of the parliamentary government system in the country, the force was renamed as the SSF in 1997.

 

Special security devices for VVIPs during polls

The Special Security Force (SSF) will use highly sophisticated devices for the security of VVIPsthe President and Prime Ministerwhile moving around during the upcoming general election, government sources said. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) yesterday approved a proposal by the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) to acquire the high-powered security devices under the direct purchase method. The CCEA meeting was held at the conference room of the Cabinet Division with finance minister AMA Muhith in the chair. After the meeting, a Cabinet Division official told The Independent: Some security devices including drone shield, new jammer, frequency jammer and mobile command post (command vehicles) would be purchased for ensuring the security of the countrys VVIPs. Earlier, important massages during VVIP movements were communicated through mobile SMSs, which posed a security threat. Therefore, the SSF later acquired a modern 3G pager system for ensuring foolproof security to the VVIPs. The SSF, which is accountable to the PM, can make arrests without warrant when there is reason to believe that the presence or movement of any person or group near the VVIPs could pose a security threat. If anyone forcibly attempts to evade arrest, the SSF may use all necessary means to capture the person. The wide and unfettered powers granted to the authorities under the Special Security Force Ordinance (SSFO) are exacerbated by Section 11, which prevents prosecution for such acts without government sanction. SSF members are selected from the Army, Navy, Air Force, police and Ansar. The idea of establishing such a security force in Bangladesh was first mooted by former President Hussain Muhammad Ershad. Accordingly, the Presidential Security Force (PSF) was formed on June 15, 1986. Later, with the introduction of the parliamentary government system in the country, the force was renamed as the SSF in 1997.